Harter, Helen Pletcher (1933-1954)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1954 Dec 16 p. 1

Birth date: 1933 Nov 17

Traffic Toll Mounts In Indiana County

TWO KILLED ON SNOW-COVERED ROADS IN ELKHART COUNTY

Goshen, Ind. — Two persons were killed in separate accidents on snow covered roads near here during the Dec. 11-12 week end. They were Elkhart county's 33rd and 34th traffic fatalities of 1954.

Mrs. Helen Harter, 21, of Wakarusa, mother of two small children, was fatally injured Saturday when her husband, Wayne Harter, was unable to stop the car at the intersection of a county road and US 6 and it skiddel [sic] into the path of a large truck. Funeral services were held Monday at the Olive Mennonite church.

Floyd Wayne Troyer, 14-year-old Millersburg high school student, son of Edward D. and Anna Mae Troyer, was instantly killed Sunday when the car driven by a companion skidded out of control east of here and struck a utility pole. Funeral services were held at the Clinton Brick Mennonite church on Tuesday.

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1954 Dec 30 p. 8

text of obituary:

HELEN PLETCHER HARTER

Helen Pletcher Harter was born Nov. 17, 1933, at Akron, Ind., the daughter of Glen and Edna Stout Pletcher. At the age of five years she came to live in the home of her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Pletcher of Harrison township, Elkhart county, Ind.

As a young girl she felt her need of a Saviour and gave her heart and life to the Lord. She was baptized and received into the fellowship of the Bethel United Missionary church where her radiant Christian life was appreciated by all. Her talented service as a pianist and a secretary will be long remembered. Before her marriage in 1951, she transferred her membership to the Holdeman Mennonite church.

On June 1, 1951, Helen was married to Wayne Harter of Wakarusa, Ind., and together they made a happy home on a farm south of Wakarusa. Helen and Wayne became parents of two children, Coleen Rae 2, and Wanda Lynette 1.

Death came to Helen on Dec. 11, 1954, at the age of 21 years, 24 days, as the result of injuries suffered in an automobile accident near Nappanee, Ind. She leaves to mourn her passing her husband; two children; father, step-mother and brother Richard of Dunlap; Grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Walter Pletcher of rural Goshen; Grandmother Mrs. Harriet Schmitt, Elkhart; and many other relatives and friends.

“No higher tribute of praise can be paid to one who sojourned her ephemeral day on earth than to say she loved and was loved alike by all who knew her. Yet this can well be said of the one who we hold in reverence and esteem this day. All who knew her have treasured memories of her thoughtful deeds and unsolicited kindnesses. She knew no murmurings, whatever her work, and though menial her tasks. Her lips brought forth no unkind chatter. To her life was a quest for fulfilling of a yearning after the living God . In Christ she found her satisfying portion of the water of life.”

The funeral was held Dec. 13 at the Olive Mennonite church with services in charge of Lee J. Miller and Simon G. Gingerich. Burial was made in the Olive cemetery.

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.”